How Can A Laser Remove Hair?
You may think of a laser as harmful radiation. A laser is simply a beam of light. In this case, a gentle beam of light passes through the skin, into the hair follicle, where it is absorbed. After being absorbed by the hair follicle, the laser energy turns into heat. This disables the follicle and impairs its ability to grow hair.
At UT Medical Group, we use the Apogee/PhotoGenica® LPIR laser from Cynosure™, which uses an advanced TKS™ laser process to remove unwanted hair with minimal pain, inconvenience, and side effects.
What does TKS™ stand for?
TKS™ stands for Thermokinetic Selectivity. The TKS™ laser process makes it possible to heat just the hair follicle, not the surrounding skin. This is important because this protects the surrounding skin while effectively treating the surrounding hair. This offers the patient a treatment for unwanted hair that is safer as well as more effective than other lasers.
Who would be a good candidate for laser hair removal?
If you’re concerned about unwanted hair, you’re probably a good candidate for laser hair removal. Unwanted hair may be removed from a variety of areas, such as:
- underarms
- bikini lines
- men’s backs
- moustaches
- unwanted facial hair
With any laser hair removal, the most dramatic results usually occur for people with light skin and dark hair. But with the TKS™ laser process, benefits are possible for patients who may not have been good prospects for laser hair removal before, such as patients with darker skin. Other factors can influence the treatment process, but these are best evaluated and discussed by a physician in person.
Is the treatment painful?
Most patients describe the experience as a series of slight pin pricks to the skin. The majority of patients tolerate this without any use of anesthetics. Within 30 minutes of treatment, the skin may become pink or red, resembling a mild sunburn. This may last from a few hours to one day.
How many treatments will be necessary?
Hair grows in cycles. At any given time, some hair follicles are dormant. The laser only affects hair in its growth phase. In other words, the laser only disables those hair follicles that are actively producing hair at the time of treatment. Usually, more than one session is necessary to obtain the desired results.
Only your physician can help you decide if laser hair removal is appropriate for you.
For more information about these and other procedures, call UT Medical Group at 901-448-6610.
